Stink over tribute fragrance

King of Pop scent launched despite looming lawsuit Agence France-PresseJune 13, 2011 1:06 AMhttp://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/Stink+over+tribute+fragrance/4936124/story.htmlThe botched launch of a perfume in memory of pop icon Michael Jackson has caused a stink, as his father distanced himself from a Frenchman behind the deal, and a lawsuit disputed their rights.Joe Jackson signed a contract with French fragrance entrepreneur Franck Rouas earlier this year to launch eau de parfums "Jackson's Tribute" for men and "Jackson's Legend" for women.The scents were due to be presented to the world at a press conference last week in a nightclub at the Caesars Palace hotel-casino in Las Vegas, with socialite Paris Hilton and various Jackson family members involved.But the event descended into chaos when Joe Jackson, backed briefly by his daughter LaToya, made it clear he wanted to avoid any physical contact with Rouas, head of the perfume company Julian Rouas Paris.In addition no release date was announced for the fragrances, presented as inspired by the aromas of plants in the grounds of Neverland, the late pop icon's ranch home before his shocking death in June 2009 at age 50."I don't like the way he does things. But the initiative to create the scents was mine, and that plan goes ahead," Joe Jackson said, while saying he did not know when the 50 ml bottles would go on sale.The Jackson patriarch played down the legal problems with using his dead son's name, a money-spinning brand owned officially by an estate from which he was excluded in the King of Pop's will."They can say whatever they want. I am the father, he was my son and I can decide what to do on his behalf and in his honour," said the 82-year-old, clad in a black suit, red necktie, fedora hat and various gold chains."There are many interests around the legacy of my son, companies that want everything, but I have a foundation that allows me to launch projects with his name, the name of my son."The tension between Jackson and Rouas was obvious even before a press conference at ten ded by more unknown models than journalists, and no members of the U.S. media.But more problematic was a lawsuit filed in a Los Angeles court a day before the botched launch, on behalf of Bravado, the company which holds the commercial rights to sell products under Michael Jackson's name.The lawsuit said Rouas and Jackson were "unlicensed distributors who have been using the Michael Jackson trademark and/or a mark confusing similar thereto in connection with perfume that defendants are attempting to sell.